Young Adults and Naturism

Many people who investigate naturism and/or social nudity
a little are surprised to find that (in North America, at least) it seems
to be something that appeals mostly to people over 30.
This was not always so, it does not have to be so, and it is something
that needs to change in order for the pleasures of clothes-freedom to be
available to as many people as possible.

Young people who have looked into nudism and naturism or visited nude
beaches are often dismayed to find relatively few in their own
age group. Many (most?) others never even give the possiblity of social
nudity a thought since it seems to be so far outside the norms of society
as they have experienced it.

Yet there are reasons why one might expect young people to be more
inclined to tolerate and have an interest in nakedness than older folks:

Being naked is pleasurable and fun - and young people especially
like what's fun.

Young people have the time and inclination to enjoy life and have fun.
(They may feel that they have little free time - but they will have even
less time when they are deeply involved with a career and have a familiy
to support!)

Young people have had less time to become entangled in social structures
that might discourage an interest in nudity (e. g. a career, the rat race,
kids of their own, etc.)

Having had less time to internalize social taboos, young people
ought to be more daring
and more inclined to try new and unusual things.

Young people should be less worried about
how their bodies look since they haven't suffered the bulges, sags, and
scars of advancing age.

Young people are less likely to be in a committed relationship where
the other person is strongly opposed to nudity.

Unfortunately for all concerned - both the younger and the older
generation - there is an unequal representation of age groups among
people who like to be naked, especially in social situations. And this
under-representation itself becomes a deterrent for young people to
become involved with social nudity, just as it does with other demographic
categories, such as women.

It hasn't always been this way. The generation of people who came of age
in the 60s and 70s were more at ease with nudity (even though, statistically,
interest in nudity was still rather outside of the mainstream). Perhaps
this has more than a little to do with why this generation, now middle-aged,
is more strongly represented in social nudity than younger people. People
in this age range can recall (if they happen to be male) when it was normal
to swim naked at the Y. They remember, fondly, the clothing optional parties
and skinny dipping that weren't uncommon on campuses in the late 60s and
70s. They flocked in large numbers to the "free" beaches - many of which
still are "clothing optional", but rather less heavily used.

How can young people become more involved in clothes-freedom and
social nudity?

Here are some general suggestions, both for young people themselves,
and for anyone who wants to see clothes-freedom available to people
of all ages. It shouldn't be a secret that only certain older folks know
about.

No one's arm needs to be twisted to discover the enjoyment of nakedness.
Just trying it once in a pleasant, supportive environment is usually
enough to convince someone who has no entrenched hang-ups about nudity.
The environment can be in the privacy of one's own home. "Just do it."

Keep in mind that the world of clothes-freedom, social nudity,
naturism, or whatever it's called is very diverse. It isn't just one
thing. It isn't (necessarily) a lifestyle you need to follow at all
times. There are many different ways to enjoy it.
There will be aspects of this world that are more to your
own personal liking than others. Try to find what is right for you.

There are a number of specific, easy
steps anyone can take to begin experiencing and enjoying the
pleasures of clothes-freedom and social nudity. Here is an organized
list of suggestions for how to get
started that should be useful to people of any age.

Read and think about some of the reasons why young people are
most often discouraged from trying social nudity. There are specific
suggestions for overcoming each of the obstacles and deterrents.

Look for online places where you can discuss clothes-freedom,
social nudity, and naturism with others, many of whom have useful
experience. There are many alternatives, such as
discussion forums, chat rooms,
mailing lists, and individual Web site guest books.
There are lists of such sites here.

Get involved with various online groups which are specifically
trying to help young people learn about and experience clothes-freedom.
Some of these are places with the specific
purpose of helping young people with a common interest in social nudity
make contact with each other.
You'll find several such groups in the following list of external links.
(And getting involved means actively taking part, not just talking
about doing something.)

Consult my list of sites belonging to or describing places to
enjoy clothes-freedom in the United States,
Canada, and the rest of the world. Chances are good you'll find places close to
where you live, but finding one that is "right" for you may take
a little research.

I also have many lists of links to pages and sites that give more
information on the relation of nudity to specific interests, such as
art, religion, and sports. The information on various sports, in
particular, may be of special interest to young people.
Take a look to see whether one or more of your personal
interests are listed.

The Burning Man Festival is a celebration of art and imagination
in which everyone who attends is part of the entertainment.
Attendance is heavily weighted to people under 30. And it's a unique
experiment with a society in which clothing really is optional.

Online forums, discussion groups, and communities for young naturists

This is a mailing list specifically intended for the purpose of
communication among students
who are interested in naturism,
at high schools, colleges, universities,
and similar educational institutions

College and university naturist organizations

Other organizations for young naturists: North America

"We are a group of young women and men, our ages spanning from
early twenties to early thirties, who enjoy the naturist lifestyle.
During the winter months, we participate in monthly swim nights at
pools in the Greater Toronto Area."